Problem with stalled meter estimated Bill sent

narika

I had moved into a new property (all elec) early January 2009 and my energy provider asked me to setup a dd of £60 a month. I had agreed and set it up. Since then I gave them the meter readings once in June 09. Supplier collected their own reading in December 2009. I had been receiving bills from them regularly to my email that required to login to their site to view the bills and i had never done that. but the bills dated above are not estimates but based on the provided meter readings.
from April this year my dd was really brought down to £25 a month. I am now moving out of the property and provided them my meter reading...then the energy provider informed that i have a stalled meter and it never ran from the day one i joined the property. since then the meter was removed and new meter is placed but now the energy supplier has produced an estimated bill of 400 more than what i have already paid. I am really shocked to note this and upon enquiring all they say is it is an estimated reading. I am just a single person living at the property and will be away on business most of the occassions and clearly their estimate is absolutely rubbish and weighs more profit on their side. I called them on several occassions but they would not budge on the bill and ask me to pay it.
i've done a bit of research on this and i am wondering if i qualify for energy billing code which prohibits the energy supplier from charging me mroe than 12 months given the fact that as late as teh bill in Dec 09 is based on hte actual meter reading but not estimated.
any help is grealy appreciated.
thanks,narika

Cardew

The 12 month back billing regulation is only for situations where no bill has been raised and it is the fault of the supplier; so clearly that doesn't apply in this situation.

As I understand it you have paid approx £890 for a period of 17 months covering two winters. That is way below what it would be normal for someone to pay for that period and by no means is their estimate 'absolute rubbish'.

You also are culpable that you didn't check your account or the meter.

That said, it will be difficult for them to prove what you have actually used as, given your circumstances, you could have been an extremely low user. So if you dig your heels in you may get away with without paying them for their estimated consumption.

However you need to write to them(don't phone) setting out your case.

The danger in these cases is that they will pass a debt to a Debt Collection Agency and this will affect your credit rating.

dogshome

Hi narika - I'm afraid the 12 month Back-Billing code does not apply as your supplier did provide bills over the period.

However, if indeed this meter was never producing a true record, it has to be a matter of negotiation beween you and the supplier of what a 'fair' estimate is. Don't be bullied by the "This is our estimate and you must pay it" routine

To stop the supplier going into Wolverine collection mode, and by the way if they still have a D/debit mandate they can snatch the money from you bank without asking, WRITE to the supplier asking for written details as to how they arrived at estimated figure they have billed, then if you have been out of the flat for long periods, tell them you want the figure adjusted

To state both sides of the case, it should be borne in mind that your £60 D/D level is actually a bit low for an ECO7 property, but it all depends on how you used it and the number of storage radiatores fitted
All the best